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Greece: Athens and Lycia (Room 15)

520 – 430 BC

Following the defeat of the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 -
479 BC, democratic Athens built up a powerful maritime empire. In
an age of prosperity Athenian artists flourished, and Athens’
distinctive painted pottery was exported all over the Mediterranean
world.

Red-figured volute-krater attributed to the Berlin Painter about 500-480 BC

Red-figured volute-krater attributed to the Berlin Painter about 500-480 BC

In Room 15, pottery is shown alongside other objects to
illustrate such themes as democracy, the human body, the Athenian
Empire and the people of Athens. Among those pressed into joining
Athens’ tribute-paying were the Lycians - so-called
allies of the empire living in what is now south-west
Turkey.

Sculpture in this gallery comes from tombs and shrines built on
the acropolis of Lycian Xanthos.